Device for permanently recording, by the application of pressure, multicolored informative markings

ABSTRACT

A device suitable for permanently recording multicolored information on a sheet merely by the application of pressure to the sheet. The sheet contains a plurality of pressure rupturable encapsulated inclusions capable of producing, upon rupture, several different colors. As localized pressure is applied to the sheet by sandwiching it between pressure-applying means and raised lands, certain of the capsules are ruptured selectively, releasing coloring agents to a surface of the sheet so as to provide observable markings or an image of a certain design thereon. The color of the markings or image is selected by locating the lands in positions adapted to cause rupture of capsules containing materials that produce the desired colors. Other features of the invention appear in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

I United States Patent l 3,565,005

[72] Inventor Philip H. Knott $063,864 1 1/ 1962 Norman 1l7/36.8 SanFrancisco, Calif. (315 E. 86th St., Apt. 3,138,515 6/1964 Dritz 1l7/36.2X 2N East, New York, N.Y. 10028) 3,322,557 5/1967 Schwab 117/36.2 [21] Appl. No. 723,432 3,329,590 7/1967 Renfrew 117/36.8X 22Filed A 23,1968 3,351,948 ll/1967 Bonn ll7/36.1X [45] patented 23 19713,426,679 2/1969 Rarnes 101/175 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey ss' ttExami er-J. R ed Fisher [54] DEVICE FOR PERMANENTLY RECORDING, BY jLeaveenworth & Keno THE APPLICATION OF PRESSURE, MULTICOLOREDINFORMATIVE MARKINGS 19 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs. ABSTRACT: A devicesuitable for permanently recording [52] U 8 Cl 101/171 multicoloredinformation on a sheet merely by the application 1 17B 6 of pressure tothe sheet. The sheet contains a plurality of pres. I 5 n In cl 5/1'6sure rupturable encapsulated inclusions capable of producing, [50] Fkid1 01/171 upon rupture, several different colors. As localized pressureis 175 176 36 2 36 applied to the sheet by sandwrching it betweenpressure-apply- 1 I ing means and raised lands, certain of the capsulesare rup- 35/27 tured selectively, releasing coloring agents to a surfaceof the sheet so as to provide observable markings or an image of a [56]References Cited certain design thereon. The color of the markings orimage is UNITED STATES PATENTS selected by locating the lands inpositions adapted to cause 611,457 1898 MCD g 1 X rupture of capsulescontaining materials that produce the ,171 2/1962 Bakan et all17/36.2desired colors. Other features of the invention appear in the 3,062,1361 l/ 1962 Lieberman et a1 101 /287 following specification andaccompanying drawings.

PATENTFLD FEB23 ISYI SHEEI 1 OF 5 FIG! PATENTEOFEB23|97| 3.665005 SHEET5 [1F 5 FIGH' merely by the selective application of localized pressure.It is believed that the area in which the most advantageous exploitationof this invention may be realized is in the multicolored halftoneprinting industry. Another area may be in the toy industry to produce adevice for amusement purposes. It should be realized that the inventionis not restricted to use in these industries, but is adaptable forservice wherever development of a multicolored display or message isdesired.

In present printing practice the production of a multicolor halftonepicture requires several photographic steps and several passes throughthe printing presses. Employing the present invention the duplicativeoperations of current practice can be eliminated, thereby effectingsignificant savings in the costs associated with producing multicoloredpictures and images, and also reducing the time necessary to producethem. It is anticipated that, if carried out on a large scale, theseeconomies may reduce the cost and time factors sufficiently to makevirtually all color printing competitive with black and white printing.

The instant invention permits a printer to cast a single printing platewhich is capable, in a single pass through the press, to produce all thedesired colors. Thus, the printing step itself would not differsignificantly from those presently used in black and white operations.The only area where it is anticipated that the costs may be somewhathigher than those associated with black and white printing is in thecost of the paper.

In addition to use in the printing industry, which use can be termedessentially simultaneous color representation, the present invention isattractive for incorporation in devices allowing for sequentiallyentering color informative markings. Such devices may be designed topermit one to draw, by hand, pictures in various colors using animplement, such as a stylus, capable of applying pressure in selectedareas. Present day devices suitable for producing such displaysgenerally require the use of varicolored crayons, paints, pencils orsimilar materials. The dangers inherent in the use of crayons, paints,etc., such as marring of surrounding objects, is eliminated by employingthe present invention without curtailing in any significant manner thepictorial or message-conveying production capabilities.

My U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,100 teaches the construction and use of deviceswhich are variations of what is frequently called a Magic Slate." Theinvention of that patent teaches the construction of devices which makepossible thedrawing of multicolored pictures in contrast to certainprior art devices which restricted the results to single color markings.The development of color pictorial representations that may be producedthereby embody the use of certain elements or concepts proposed thereinthat can be used to advantage in the practice of the present inventionin both its simultaneous and sequential embodiments. The devices of myearlier invention are designed primarily for the production oftemporary, erasable markings. Using one of those devices, only onepicture can be drawn and displayed at a time. Subsequent picturesrequire partial or total obliteration of earlier displays. Those devicesare therefore believed to be primarily useful as instruments ofamusement.

Multicolored pictures or images produced by use of the device of thepresent invention are permanent. They can be displayed as finished andpermanent products and therefore are perfectly well suited for use inthe printing industry as well as other industries.

The present invention contemplates the use of a suitably reinforced orstiffened panel embodying discreet and relative- 1y inflexible raisedlands or buttons arranged in a predetermined pattern. A speciallyprepared display carrier embodying hidden bodies of different colorproducing materials is positioned such that the lands of the latter areopposed to certain areas of this carrier. When pressure is appliedlocally between the face of the carrier and the lands of the panelcolors are selectively released from the hidden bodies in the carrier atthe points of contact, there producing, on the carrier face, observablespots of color, to form multicolored images of pressure-applied designs.

The display carrier is preferably in flexible sheet form and can be madeof almost any matrix or homogeneous material. it is preferably primarilypaper or a paperlike felted material but may be of film material such asthose of polymeric origin or of a woven material. The bodies of colorare encapsulated inclusions which are hidden from view within the bodyof the flexible sheet before application of pressure and theseencapsulated inclusions are rupturable upon such application ofpressure. The inclusions may be made so that subjection to a giventreatment, such as heat or-a liquid bath, will make them no longercapable of producing color on the sheet. This can be accomplished byusing materials which, when subjected to a particular treatment make thecapsules substantially nonrupturable or the encapsulated matternonflowable or uncolored.

The display sheet of my invention may be one possessing certain of thecharacteristics of the sheet described in the Bakan U.S. Pat. No.3,020,171. However, while Bakan contemplates only a surface coating of abase layer, which coating contains color capsules, the preferredembodiment of my invention contemplates the use of discreet globulesembedded within the main body of the sheet itself, each globule beingencapsulated within a pressure rupturable material such as a plasticmembrane. Unlike the sheet described in the Bakan patent wherein all theglobules are randomly located and contain the same color-produciblematerial, my sheet contains globules of several differentcolor-producible materials arranged in particular patterns.

It is by virtue of the prearranged pattern of multicolored globules,together with a prearranged pattern of the pressure resisting lands ofthe panel, that it is possible to select the desired colors to beproduced observably together to form upon the face of the sheetmulticolored images.

Similar to the proposal of the Bakan patent, Schwab U.S. Pat. No.3,322,557 proposes a sheet capable of displaying permanent informativemarkings produced by the use of a pressure-applying implement, such as astylus. The sheet described by Schwab contains inclusions capable ofproducing markings at desired points upon the application of either heator pressure. Like Bakan, Schwab discloses a sheet in which there is arandom array of inclusions all of which produce only a single color uponthe application of pressure. In addition, the Schwab sheet requiresreaction between two different types of inclusions in order for markingsto appear. The present invention distinguishes from the Schwabproposalin all of these characteristics.

it is believed that the present invention can most advantageously bepracticed by the use of a display sheet containing prearranged hiddenencapsulated materials which, when released, produce at localizedpoints, observable minute spots of the three primary colors, red, yellowand blue. it is not, however, necessary that three colors be used. Theinvention may be practiced using a greater or lesser number of colorsand even when practiced with only three colors the three need notnecessarily be the primaries.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention the hidden encapsulatedmaterials are arranged in the sheet in a pattern of zones each of whichcontains material designed to produce only one of the three primarycolors. The pattern is such that no zone is contiguous with a zone ofthe same coloring material but is contiguous with zones of each of theother two materials.

Under certain circumstances it may be desirable to produce the colorswhich result from combining two or more of the color-producing materialsencapsulated in the sheet. This can be accomplished by two basicallydifferent methods. In the preferred embodiment the zones are each smallenough so that when materials are released from adjacent zones theperceptive faculties of the observer register a blending of the colorsproduced causing the illusion of a single color which is different fromthe colors actually produced. The second method is to use coloringmaterials and a sheet which allow the materials in adjacent zones, whenreleased, to bleed together so as to produce a mixed color differentfrom that which each would produce alone.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention each color zone in theexhibitor sheet contains a plurality of globules of materials to produceone color. As a result, when only a portion of a given color zone isopposed to a land, upon the application of pressure, only a portion ofthe color producing capsules in that zone are ruptured, releasing only aportion of the coloring matter hidden in that zone. When each color zoneof the exhibitor sheet contains numerous color-producing capsules theachievable gradation of the individual colors as well as the gradationsof the compound colors are, for all practical purposes, continuous, theproducible hues being a function of the relative areas which adjacentzones have opposed to raised lands.

The coloring matter contained in the globules is most advantageously ofthe nature of colored inks or dyes adapted to stain the exhibitor sheetwhen released. An alternative method of coloring the exhibitor sheet isto use various chemicals in the capsules which, when released, combinewith the sheet or with the fillers in the sheet to produce the desiredcolors.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is designed for use in theprinting industry. In present practice printing plates for producingmulticolored halftone pictures are made using photographic techniques.The picture is projected through a screen and several color filters. Thescreen breaks the picture up into many small dots and each filterpermits the passage of light of only a certain wavelength. A plate iscast for each filter used, and each of these plates has raised landswhere the screen dots were located but only in those regions where thepassage of light was permitted by the filter. The sizes of the dots isvaried during the photographic process in order to vary the sizes of thelands on each casting, and these size variations control the intensitiesof the colors produced by use of that cast plate.

When a picture is printed the paper is first run under plate A which hasbeen inked with color A ink. It is then run under plate 8 which has beeninked with color B, and so forth for each plate and color until thepicture is complete. The final image consists of thousands of minutedots of each of the colors. The coloring in each of the various regionsis a function of the size and number of dots of each color in thatregion which are optically combined by the viewer.

The present invention makes possible the elimination of most of theabove steps without the sacrifice of color quality. Only a single plateis needed and it can be made in substantially the same manner as each ofthe presently used plates is made. Instead of using a separate plate foreach color, the raised lands are so located and of such sizes as tocause rupture of only the desired encapsulated inclusions in the sheet.The number and color of the ruptured inclusions in the various regionsof the sheet are dictated by the representation it is desired to haveappear in those regions. Since all the necessary colors are in the sheetand since the plate is designed selectively to release the colors, asingle pass under a single plate produces a complete color picture.Following printing, further production of pressure-produced color can beprevented, thereby preserving the desired print, by subjecting the sheetto a suitable fixing treatment, such as chemical or physical, asdescribed above.

My invention is also suitably employed in devices, such as those usedfor amusement purposes, designed for sequentially entering orprogressively developing observable information or images. In such anembodiment of my invention of a planar backing may be provided which hasa pair of laterally spaced, raised, parallel and channeled members inwhich the channel bases are separated by a distance approximately thesame as the width of a planar land-bearing panel. The channels are of awidth so as slidably to accept and retain therein the opposing sides ofthe panel. The channels are preferably formed and positioned in such amanner as to have the underside of the land-bearing panel rest upon thebacking when the panel is inserted into the channels. In addition to thepanel retaining channels, the planar backing may be provided withalignment pegs or equivalent means for locating the carrier or displaysheet, and with color-indicating areas for use in selecting desiredcolors. The land-bearing or button panel may be equipped with a colorregistration window which, in conjunc tion with the color indicatingareas of the backing, pennits one readily to ascertain the location ofthe raised lands or buttons of the panel. The land-bearing panel alsomay be equipped with means to facilitate its manual movement in order tochange the location of the buttons.

The carrier or display sheet used for this amusement embodiment may bevirtually identical with that described for use in the printing industryembodiment. In addition, however, the amusement display sheet may beprovided with guidance apertures, notches, or the like, which whenengaged by the aligning means or receive the alignment pegs, seat it ina predetermined and precise position with respect to the backing plate.

This amusement device is assembled by inserting the landbearing panel inthe channels of the backing plate in such a manner as to permit viewing,through the color registration window, one of the color indicating areasof the planar backing; for example, blue. The exhibitor sheet is thenplaced over the land-bearing panel in proper alignment, as is dictatedby the alignment pegs or equivalent guidance means, with respect to theland-bearing panel. In this position the lands of the panel arepositioned under globules of a certain coloring material which, whenreleased by rupture, produces only the selected color. As a result ofthis positioning, when pressure is applied to selected areas or alongselected paths of the carrier or display sheet by use of a stylus orother suitable device only globules of the coloring material thatproduces the selected color, in this instance blue, are ruptured,causing that color observably to appear on the surface of the sheetalong the path of pressure application by the stylus or equivalentmeans. The globules containing coloring materials for producing theother colors, not being directly above any raised land areas, are notruptured when the stylus passes over them and therefore none of theother colors are developed on the surface of the sheet by this action.

In the printing embodiment in order to change the image or its coloringa new plate must be cast since printing presses are not built to permitlocating the plates in more than one position. The construction of theamusement device embodiment is such that it permits the employment of asingle raised lands panel for successive productions which are entirelydifferent, one from another. The image, being a product of the pathstaken by the stylus, is substantially independent of the construction ofthe panel and can therefore be changed without changing the panel. Witha properly designed and built panel the colors produced are alsoindependent of its construction. They are entirely functions of thepanels location. Therefore, as with the image, there is no need tochange panels in order to change colors. The blending of colors in thesequential embodiment is most easily accomplished by positioning thelands under portions of adjacent zones containing the materials capableof producing two or more colors so that they are bridged thereby. Whenso positioned globules containing materials designed to produce at leasttwo colors are ruptured as the pressure is progressively applied along abridging path on the face of the sheet, such as by the stylus. Thecoloring matter released in one zone may be allowed to bleed into thecoloring matter released in an adjacent zone, the two combining toproduce a color different from either of the colors released.Alternatively, but more suitable for the simultaneous embodiment, thesheet and coloring materials may be such as to inhibit bleeding but, dueto the close proximity of adjacent zones, pressure may be made toproduce closely spaced dots of released different colors which give thevisual illusion of a blend of those colors.

There are various methods by which the release of two or more coloringmaterials can be caused. Generally, it requires that lands be opposed toat least portions of zones of two or more coloring materials. In theprinting embodiment this is most advantageously accomplished byproducing castings bearing lands, some of which are opposed to onecolorproducing group of zones and some of which are opposed to othercolor-producing groups of zones. In the amusement embodiment this ismost easily accomplished by permitting registration of the lands of thepanel intermediate the adjacent positions which respectively permit therelease of difierent colors. It can also be accomplished by forming thelands or buttons of a size, orientation and configuration to overlapadjacent zones. Or, as with the printing embodiment the lands can be solocated that some will rupture capsules of one coloring material andsome another.

As already described with respect to the printing embodiment, the hueproduced by mechanically, chemically or optically combining colors is afunction of the relative areas of adjacent zones opposed to raised landswhich, in turn, is a function of the size and location of the lands ofthe casting. In the amusement embodiment it can be made dependent merelyupon the registration of a single panel. Alternatively, the amusementembodiment may include a set of panels, each designed to produce aparticular hue or group of hues. The color produced will then dependupon the panel selected. Provision can be made for combining more thantwo colors simply by including in the set one or more panels that carrylands designed to be overlapped by portions of more than two colorzones. In this manner virtually any color and any shade of that colorcan be selected.

In addition to devices for amusement, the sequential embodiment of thepresent invention can easily be adapted for various commercialapplications. For example, in accounting practice it is frequentlydesired to enter FIGS. in more than one color on a sheet, each colorbeing used to indicate a different kind of entry. It is customary thatcertain entries be in red and others in blue. Present practice requiresthe use of red ink or pencil for the red numerals and blue ink or pencilfor the blue numerals. In contrast, the present invention permits allentries to be made with a common pressure-applying implement, such as astylus, the color changes being achieved merely by moving theland-bearing panel.

Further, one might desire to make columnar entries of numerals on asheet of paper that may bear a plurality of columns, e.g., 10, with theentries in adjacent columns being in different colors, such as rednumerals in columns one, four, seven and 10, blue numerals in columnstwo, five and eight and yellow numerals in columns three, six and nine.This can easily be accomplished by the use of a land-bearing panel whichhas the lands arranged in a columnar pattern such that, when insertedinto the guides of the planar backing, the lands underlying columns one,four, seven and ten are aligned with the red zones of color in thosecolumns, those underlying columns two, five and eight are aligned withthe blue zones and those underlying columns three, six and nine arealigned with the yellow zones. Once the correct panel is properlyinserted there is no possibility of color error.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective viewof an embodiment of the presentinvention, adapted to be employed in a commercial flat-bed printingprocess, in the form of a substantially flat stack having an uniquepaper display or exhibitor sheet intervening a platen and a specialprinting plate prepared in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an exemplary pictorial representationproduced by the use of the device of FIG. 1, with the individualdiscreet markings greatly exaggerated in size;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the paper exhibitor sheet shown in FIG. 2prior to its use in recording of any informative markings, with aportion of the surface layer of the paper broken away to reveal thecolor zones included therein, marginal straight lines delineating therespective color bearing zones being hypothetical and indicated only forclarity in understanding since they do not exist as structural marginsin or on the sheet structure;

FIG. 3a is a top plan view, similar to FIG. 3, of a paper exhibitorsheet, suitable for use in an amusement device, with a portion of thesurface layer of the paper broken away to reveal the color zonesincluded therein, hypothetical marginal lines of the respective zonesbeing indicated only for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a portion of a cross-sectional view taken substantially alongline 4-4 of FIG. 3a indicating the impregnation of the medial layer ofthe exhibitor sheet having color-producible globules embedded therein;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view, with parts broken away, of across section of the exhibitor sheet, taken substantially along line 5-5of FIG. 4, showing the arrangement, in the medial layer, of groups ofdifferent color-producing globules collected in different color zones,hypothetical marginal lines of the respective zones being indicated onlyfor clarity;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention,suitable for amusement purposes, provided in the form of a substantiallyflat stack of planar elements, including a flat panel equipped withpressure localizing raised lands or buttons, that intervene a paperdisplay or exhibitor sheet and a flat backing carrying channeled guideinto the channels of which are inserted marginal edges of the raisedlands panel for reciprocative guidance, and indicating on the paper apictorial design developed by the use of this embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional detail, with parts broken away, takensubstantially along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective detail, with parts broken away, of aportion of the left-hand end of the structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 andpertaining to a manually operable handle for laterally shifting thepressure localizing lands panel, and indicating a lateral shift of thelatter from the position shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a group of strips, with parts broken away, and

greatly magnified in size, of various modified forms of pressurelocalizing lands or buttons of the printing plate shown in FIG. 1 or ofthe panel shown in FIGS. 6 to 9; and

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative structure ofthe embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6 to 9.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals identify similar partsthroughout, it will be seen that FIGS. 1 to 5 incl. depict criticalelements of a preferred embodiment of my invention. The elements showntherein are suitable for employment in a conventional flat-bed printingpress, and comprise a printing plate 20, a display sheet 22 and abacking or platen 24.

The platen 24 may be formed of any relatively rigid material. Mostcommonly, it will be the normal platen used on the press forconventional printing operations.

The display or carrier 22 preferably is a flexible paper web in the formof a sheet of matted fibers, or of other suitable similar material. Thenature of the construction of this sheet can best be understood byreferenceto FIGS. 3 to 5 incl. It is shown in FIG. 4 to include, by wayof example, two outer layers 22a and 22c separated by an intermediatelayer 22b. Layers 22a and 22c, being conventional paper havingsubstantial opacity, impart to the entire sheet, prior to use, theappearance of ordinary paper. Medial layer 22b has embedded in it amultitude of minute color-producing globules 23, each such globule beingencapsulated within an easily ruptured material such as a plasticmembrane. In this embodiment the resulting capsules contain dyes of thethree primary colors, red, yellow and blue, with each capsule containingonly one color dye.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5 the display sheet 22 embodies in itsintermediate layer 22b a plurality of discreet color zones eachembodying a group of many capsules containing globules of printing inkor dye of all the same color. Since all the globules in each zonecontain printing ink or dye of only one color each zone is capable ofproducing, by itself, only one color, namely either red (zone 25),yellow (zone 27) or blue (zone 29).

As can best be understood by referring to FIG. 3, the color zones arearranged in rows, which, for explanatory purposes have been labeled 1 to10, and in columns, labeled a to t. As can be seen, the columns in theeven-numbered rows are offset one-half column transversely from those inthe odd-numbered rows. Each row contains contiguous zones in a repeatingsequence of the three colors and the sequence is the same in each row.In the even-numbered rows the zones in columns a, g, m, etc., allcontain blue globules; those in columns c, i, 0, etc., all contain redglobules and those in columns e, k, q, etc., all contain yellowglobules. Similarly, in the odd-numbered rows the zones in columns b, h,n, etc., all contain yellow globules, those in columns d, j, p, etc.,all contain blue globules and those in columns f, l, r, etc., allcontain red globules. Thus, in the even-numbered rows the zones incolumns a, c and 2 form one sequence which is repeated by the zones incolumns g, i and k, and again by those in columns m, and q. In theodd-numbered rows the same sequence appears in columns d, f and h and isrepeated in columns j, l and n and again in columns p, r and t. Whereasthe zones in contiguous rows are offset by one-half a zone, thesequences in contiguous rows are offset by one-half a sequence (one andone-half zones) thereby assuring that no zone is contiguous with anyportion of a zone of the same color. Thus yellow zone 2-e istransversely offset one and one-half zones from zones l-b, l-h, 3-b and3- h, the closest. yellow zones. Also, zone 2-e is contiguous only withblue zones l-d, 2-g and 3-d and with red zones l-f, 3-1 and 2-c.

FIGS. 3, 5 and 8 show all zones as being in contiguous relationship.This need not necessarily be so. There may be small spaces betweenadjacent zones, but as the distances between adjacent zones increasesthe ability of the device to produce lines of separated dots that mayappear to be substantially continuous lines, and also compound colors,diminishes.

Printing plate is a relatively rigid metal casting which has raisedlands or buttons 26 protruding from its bottom face. These buttons 26are of such a size and are so located as to develop in a face of sheet22, upon the application of localized pressure by these buttons forrupture of capsules there opposite, the desired color images.

Referring now to FIG. 2, let it be assumed that the picture to beproduced in one of the unique sheets 22 consists of green grass in area28, a yellow sun in area 30, blue sky in area 32, a red trademark designin area 34 and an evergreen tree having a triangularly shaped greenupper portion in area 36 and a brown trunk in area 38. Sheet 22 isplaced upon platen 24, plate 20 is lowered onto the sheet and clampingforce is applied to the resulting stack as is indicated by arrows F onFIG. 1. The application of this force applies pressure in sheet 22, atthose points of contact between buttons 26 and the sheet, sufficient torupture the encapsulated globules in the sheet at those points forrelease of the colors contained therein to migrate to a surface of thesheet for observation. At the intermediate points in the sheet, i.e.,those areas not in contact with any raised lands, there is nosignificant degree of pressure applied and consequently no capsules areruptured at these intermediate points.

As indicated above, the colors produced are a function of the sizes andlocations of buttons 26. For example, sun area 30, being a homogenousyellow, is produced by having certain ones of the button 26 of the platewhich contact this area of the sheet all of the same size and all solocated as to be directly above only yellow color zones. FIG. 2indicates that sun area 30 will be composed of a uniform pattern ofsmall dots of substantially equal size, which have been enormouslyenlarged in size to the FIG. 2 showing for illustrative purposes. Inpractice these dots are so small and so closely spaced as to give theillusion of a solid continuous mass of color as viewed from a point ofnormal observation.

The red trademark design in area 34 is produced by certain other buttons26 which contact the sheet above only red color zones. Here, as in theremainder of FIG. 3, the size and spacing of the dots produced have beengreatly exaggerated for illustrative purposes. In reality the trademarksymbol will appear to be composed of continuous lines. Since symbol area34 also is of uniform color it is depicted as being composed of dots ofsubstantially uniform size.

Let it be assumed that it is desired to have the blue sky appear lighterat the top of the picture and become progressively darker as itapproaches the horizon in the lower portion of the picture. This isaccomplished first by assuring that all the buttons 26 in the sky regionof the plate 20 will be opposed only to blue color zones of sheet 22,through proper initial location of these buttons in the casting of plate20. In addition the buttons of the plate 20 at the top of the pictureare much smaller than those near the horizon, and those intervening maybe of progressively greater size as those in the vicinity of the horizonarea are approached. The larger buttons cause rupture of a large numberof the capsules in the lower zones whereas the smaller buttons causerupture of significantly smaller numbers of capsules in each zone. Thusthe amount of blue printing ink or dye released increases as one movesfrom the top of the picture down to the horizon: In addition, since thebuttons near the horizon are larger than those at the top of the picturethe distances at the horizon between adjacent dots are smaller thanarethese distances at the top. The combination of varying the amount of inkor dye staining the paper and the size of the areas of the paperremaining unstained by the ink or dye produces the illusion of a deeperblue at the horizon than at the top.

The green grass area 28 is produced by having some of the buttons 26 ofplate 20 which contact this area of the sheet opposed to yellow colorzones and other buttons opposed to blue color zones. Since it is desiredto have the grass appear light green the buttons which rupture yellowcapsules are made larger than those which rupture blue capsules.Although the pictorial representation of grass will be composed of manyfinite blue and yellow dots it will appear to be a continuous compoundcolor, namely, green, Because the yellow dots are larger than the blue,the yellow will predominate and the illusion created will be that oflight green.

In the triangular area of the tree portion 36 the registration of thebuttons is similar to the registration of the buttons in the grass area28. Since, however, it is desired that this portion of the tree appeardark green the buttons to rupture blue capsules are made larger than theones to rupture yellow capsules. Thus the blue will predominate andcreate the illusion of the compound color dark green.

Tree trunk area 38 should appear to be brown. In order to obtain thiseffect some buttons 26 of the plate 20 will be aligned with zones of thecapsules of each of the three colors. As with the green areas, the shadewill depend upon the amount of each of the coloring materials released,which in turn is determined by the size and spacing of the variousbuttons.

Of critical importance in the successful employment of this invention inthe printing industry are two factors. One, which has already beendescribed, is the relative sizes of the raised buttons or lands designedto produce the various colors in the various regions of the displaysheet. The second factor is the registration of the printing plateduring the printing process with respect to the display sheet in orderthat the raised lands contact the sheet in the proper areas therebycausing each to produce, upon the application of pressure, the colorwhich it was intended to produce.

In present black and white halftone printing processes the variousshades of gray are achieved by varying the size of and spacing betweenthe raised clots. Similarly, presently in color printing the halftonedots produced for each of the color plates are varied in size to producethe desired compound colors. In addition, present color printingtechnique requires rather precise registration of the various colorplates with respect to the display sheet in order that the differentcolor dots do not print one on top of another, but rather that they areprinted in the interstices between the dots of each other color toproduce the illusion of the compound color, and this is realized bypreparing a separate printing plate for each of the colors embodied inthe finished printed sheet. Thus, it can be seen that the skills of thepresent technology are readily adaptable for employment in devicesembodying the instant invention wherein a single land or button equippedplate is to be used simultaneously to release controllably andselectively all of the colors to be produced in the finished design orpictures.

The above preferred embodiment has been described with reference to aprocedure of printing on single sheets. The principles of thatembodiment are realized in a printing procedure which may employ arotary press using long and substantially continuous display carriersheets as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Therelationship between present day flat-bed single sheet printingoperations and continuous feed rotary press operations is similar to thecorresponding relationships in flat-bed and rotary press operationembodying the present invention.

In addition to the printing industry where practice of this in ventionpermits the production of all parts of full color images on a singlesheet in a single pass, the instant invention can be embodied toadvantage in a device designed for sequentially recording information,in color, on a carrier sheet. Devices of the latter variety areillustrated in FIGS. 6 to 11 incl.

FIGS. 6 to incl. illustrate an embodiment of my invention in a devicedesigned primarily for amusement purposes. This embodiment comprises asthree major elements, a relatively inflexible planar backing 40, apressure localizing land-bearing or button panel 42 and a displaycarrier sheet 44 of the type indicated above.

The planar backing 40 may be in the form of a relatively thick and rigidplate of cardboard, fiberboard, wood, etc., preferably substantiallyrectangular in shape having opposite ends 46 and 48 and side edges 50and 52. Parallel to but preferably inboard of edges 50 and 52 aremounted channeled members 54 and 56 respectively with opposed channels58 and 60 formed respectively therein. The shape of the channels 58 and60 can best be seen in FIG. 8 at the location identified by numeral 62.Inboard of end 48 is provided stop 64 which extends transverselysubstantially parallel to end edge 48, and which may extend to theoutermost extremities of the channels 58 and 60. By way of example,along side edges 50 and 52 and outboard of the outermost extremities ofchannels 58 and 60 are located display sheet alignment pins 66, althoughother forms of sheet alignment means may be used. These pins extendperpendicular to the plane of backing 40, a distance sufficient to beaccepted in holes provided in, for retention thereon, of sheet 44. Nearend 46 backing 40 preferably is provided with color indicating means 68.In the embodiment of FIG. 6 the color indicating means consists of fourcolored squares 70, 72, 74 and 94, the colors of which correspond to thecolors in exhibitor sheet 44 with the end two squares, 74 and 94indicating the same color. In the embodiment shown, square 70 is red, 72is yellow and 74 and 94 are blue.

Land-bearing or button panel 42 preferably is rectangular in shape withthe length of its shorter sides or ends being only slightly less thanthe distance between the bottoms of channels 58 and 60 and its thicknessbeing slightly less than the width of these channels. The dimensionalrelationships between these interacting parts permits side edges 76 and78 of panel 42 to be inserted into channels 58 and 60 and to be retainedtherein in any particular position by a snug fit which virtuallyeliminates the possiblity of rotational and vertical movement of thepanel with respect to backing 40. As is obvious from the above, buttonpanel 42, when its side edges 76 and 78 are engaged in channels 58 and60, can be moved only in a straight line longitudinally of the backing40, and then, due to the snugness of the fit, only when such movement isdesired.

When the side panel edges 76 and 78 are inserted into channels 53 and60, end 80 of panel 42 will preferably be parallel to the transversestop 64. End stop 64 limits the travel of panel 42 by abutment of itsend 82 thereagainst. The button or pressure localizing panel 42preferably is equipped with an elongated, integral tab 84 extending fromend 80 at a point where, when this panel is guided in channels 58 and 60will overlie the backing indicator means 68. The tab is provided with aviewing aperture which may be equipped with a convex lens 86 whichserves as the color viewing means to permit determination of the colorproducible when the panel is in any given position. The viewing apertureand lens are so located as to be centered over the innermost square 74when end 82 abuts stop 64. Tab 84 is also provided with a handle 88,preferably an integrally formed finger-engaging roll, which permitspanel 42 to be moved manually parallel to the guidance channels 58 and60 therefor.

Embossed upon the upper surface of panel 42 are raised lands or buttons90 as can be seen in FIG. 8 or, in greater enlargement, in FIG. 9. Theselands are arranged in a predetermined pattern as will hereinafter bedescribed in relation to the display carrier.

Display carrier sheet 44 is preferablyrectangular with two alignmentholes 92 provided in each of side margins thereof. These alignment holesare of such a diameter and are so located as to readily receive thereinsimultaneously the alignment pins 66. Holes 92 are also located in sucha manner as to precisely position the color zones of sheet 44 withrespect to color indicating means 68.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the pressure localizing lands or buttons 90 ofpanel 42 are arranged in a pattern the same as that of the sequences ofcolor zones in the display sheet, with the buttons in each row being onsequence apart from one another and being transversely offset one-halfsequence from those in the contiguous 'rows. As previously indicated,when sheet 44 is registered with pins 66 the color zones of this sheetare precisely located relative to color indicating means 68 of backing40. Thus, when the lens-equipped aperture 86 is centered over indicatorred square 70 buttons 90 are positioned under only red color zones ofsheet 44. Sliding panel 42 forward to align aperture-86 with indicatoryellow square 72 positions buttons 90 under only yellow color zones ofthe sheet. Similarly, sliding the panel further forward until its end 82abuts stop 64 with aperture 86 aligned with indicator blue color square74 positions buttons 90 under only blue color zones of the sheet. Sincethe color zones of sheet 44 are arranged in repeating sequences and thebuttons are arranged in a pattern corresponding to that of the sequencesit is readily apparent that retraction of panel 42 a distance one zonewidth outward of indicator red square 70 positions the buttons underonly blue color zones of the sheet. This is indicated by alignment ofviewing aperture 86 with indicator blue square 94.

Although the embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 8 incl. is shown with the samepattern of color zones being repeated throughout sheet 44 this is not anecessary feature of my invention. The zoned pattern may be varied fromone region of the sheet to another as long as the variation is takeninto account when designing the pattern of pressure localizing lands orbuttons of panel 42, such as by varying the pattern of lands of thelatter to correspond with the variations in the pattern of color zonesof the sheet. Alternatively, the color zone pattern in the sheet may bevaried from region to region without varying the pattern of lands inorder to produce informative markings in different colors in thedifferent regions of the sheet when panel 42 is in any given position.This latter result may also be obtained by maintaining a uniform patternof zones throughout the sheet while varying the pattern of buttons onthe panel from region to region.

Either of these latter constructions is useful for making coloredcolumnar entries on a display sheet having ruled lines and columns onits face. The color zone patterns may be varied from column to columnwhile the land pattern remains the same throughout or vice versa. Witheither arrangement of elements one can, for example, make blue entriesin column one, yellow entries in column two and red entries in columnthree across the top five lines with panel 42 in a position labeled A.Moving the panel to a position labeled B entries can then be made acrossthe next three lines in red in column one, blue in column two and yellowin column three, etc.

The buttons of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9 incl. and 11are shown as being circular in configuration whereas the color zones areshown as being square. Although it is not readily apparent from theshowings in the drawings, the buttons have a diameter which is justslightly less than the lateral dimensions of the color zone squares.Because of this dimensional relationship the buttons can be positionedso that each is opposed to an area of the sheet entirely within a singlecolor zone area. When the buttons are located in this fashion, sincethere is no overlap, the application of pressure by each button cancause the release of only one color dye in any position of accuratealignment. This same result can be obtained by the use of buttons ofvirtually any configuration, such as buttons 91, 93, 95 and 97illustrated in FIG. 10, so long as the size and orientation of thebuttons is such as to preclude overlap and thereby confine theapplication of pressure by each button within a single color zone.Alternatively, for certain applications it may be desirable to haveminor amounts of other colors released upon the application of pressure.This can easily be accomplished by making the lateral dimensions of thebuttons slightly greater than those of the color zones, or by making thebuttons of a configuration differing from that of the color zones andorienting the buttons in such a manner as to have certain of their edgesoverlap contiguous color zones, the overlap permitting the release, uponthe application of pressure, of more than one color for compound mixing.

To illustrate the operation of the embodiment of the device shown inFIGS. 6 to 9 incl. let it be assumed that the operator wishes to draw apicture depicting a red house in the area 96, a yellow sun in the area98, a blue stream in the area 100, a green tree in the area 102 andgreen grass in the area 104. Button panel 42 is slidably mounted on thebacking 40 by insertion of its side edges 76 and 78 into channels 58 and60 to a position which aligns aperture 86 with indicator red square 70.Sheet 44 is then placed on top of button panel 42 with pins 66 indexedin sheet holes 92. In this position the buttons or lands 90 are locatedonly under zones of sheet 44 which contain encapsulated red globules. Asuitable pressure-applying instrument, such as a stylus, is then movedover the face of sheet 44 to apply pressure thereto progressively alongthe paths 106 forming the outlines of house 96. As the stylus passesover the raised lands it causes progressive rupture of encapsulated redglobules along paths 106 and the release of red dye therefrom whichstains sheet 44 in the red zones that lie in the path taken by thestylus.

Although a pressure-localizing path of a stylus produces many discreetdots, as shown in greatly exaggerated fashion on FIG. 6, the dots are sosmall and so closely spaced as to create the optical illusion of acontinuous line when viewed from any normal viewing distance.

After the outline of house 96 is completed it may be decided to add theshore lines 108 of the stream area 100. In order to accomplish this,panel 42 is moved by tab handle 88 until aperture 86 is aligned withindicator blue square 74, whereby the panel lands 90 are caused tounderlie only blue color zones of the sheet 44. As the stylus is runover the surface of sheet 44 along the paths of the river shore lines108 numerous blue globules are progressively ruptured releasing blue dyewhich stains sheet 44.

To draw the outline of sun 98 in yellow, button panel 42 is againshifted so that aperture 86 is aligned with the indicator yellow square72. In this position, as the outline 114 of sun 98 is traced by thestylus, encapsulated yellow globules are ruptured releasing yellow dyeto stain sheet 44 in the circular path followed by the stylus.

It may next be desired to draw in green the outline 112 of tree area 102and margins of the grass area 104. Once again panel 42 is moved by tabhandle 88 to a position where aperture 86 overlies portions of yellowand blue indicator squares 72 and 74. With the panel 42 so located, thelands 90 will lie under portions of adjacent color zones containingencapsulated yellow and blue globules or capsules individuallycontaining yellow and blue dyes. As the stylus is run over the surfaceof sheet 44 tracing outlines of tree area 102 it causes rupture of someof the capsules containing blue dye and others containing yellow dye. Asimilar procedure will be followed in developing in green margins of thegrass area 104. The rupture of these encapsulated globules releases bothblue and yellow dyes which, when released, produce the appearance ofgreen on the sheet surface.

The above discussion of this embodiment of the present invention hasillustrated its use for drawing colored outlines of parts of a picture.It can readily be seen that the outlines can be filled in merely bymoving button panel 42 to the positions appropriate for producing thedesired fill-in colors and applying pressure to the surface of theinterior areas enclosed by its outlines, such as by running the stylusback and forth over at least a major portion of the areas of the sheet44 wherein an extensive surface dying is desired. For example, the upperportion of tree area 102 and the grass area 104 can be made to appeargreen substantially throughout.

Upon the completion of the picture, sheet 44 is lifted off alignmentpins 66 and is replaced by a clean sheet or by a sheet previously usedon which additions are sought to be made. It should be understood thatthe removal of sheet 44 does not alter its appearance since the markingsare permanent and entirely within the sheet. Hence the drawings can beexhibited in the absence of backing 40 or panel 42.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 11 is quite similar to that of FIGS. 6to 8 incl., but is somewhat more sophisticated and provides greaterflexibility.

The major components shown in FIG. 11 are display sheet or carrier 118,land-bearing or button panel 120, planar backing 122, and additionally aframe member 124. As in the preceding embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 8 incl.sheet 118 is provided with apertures 126 adapted to receive alignmentpins 128, which are mounted on frame member 124. The color zones insheet 118 are arranged in the same pattern as that shown in FIGS. 3 and5. A plurality of pressuredocalizing raised lands or buttons 136 areprovided on the top face of panel 20, which are arranged in the samepattern as that shown in FIG. 9. Button panel is provided with a rackalong one of its side edges, e.g., edge 132, and this may be duplicatedalong its other side edge 134. An indicator tab 138 is carried by theouter end of button panel 120, and lens covered aperture 140 is providedtherein.

Backing 122 is equipped along its sides with channeled members 142 and144 which provide opposed panel guiding channels 146 and 148, and thisbacking is equipped with a transverse end stop 150, which may beprovided as the front edge of a transverse end ledge 152. The back edgeof ledge 152 carries a rack 154. One of the side members, such as 142,is provided with a lateral slot 155 extending to the channel thereof,such as 146, in which is pivotalIy mounted a segmenta] pinion 156 havingthe toothed segment thereof located in the channel for mesh with rack130 of button panel 120, when side edges of the latter are slidablymounted in the opposed channels. Transversely extending, guide rails 158and 160 are mounted to the bottom of backing 122, and this bottom has asight hole 162 formed therein.

Frame member 124 is constructed of any suitable, relatively rigidmaterial, and is preferably substantially rectangular in shape. One endof frame member 124 pivotally supports a segmental pinion 166 which hasa toothed segment 167 to be meshed with rack 154 of backing 122. Thisframe member is also provided with transversely extending recessedgrooves or slots 168 and 170 of such size, configuration and location asto slidably receive rails 158 and 160 carried by backing 122 with rack154 of the latter engaging the toothed segment 167 of pinion 166. Thetop face of frame member 124 also carries color indicating means 172consisting of two rows, 174 and 176, of color indicating squares. Eachrow contains squares indicating the basic or primary colors included insheet 118; squares 178 and 190 being red, squares 180 and 186 beingyellow, and squares 182, 184 and 188 being blue. Row 176 also contains asquare half-section at each end, 192 being yellow and 194 being red. Ascan be seen the relationship between rows 174 and 176 is the same asthat between contiguous rows of color zones in sheet 118. The alignmentpins 128 that are carried by frame member 124 properly locate sheet 118,by reception in holes 126 of the latter, with respect to colorindicating means 172.

The parts of device of FIG. 11 are assembled as follows. Backing 122 isplaced on frame 124 with rails 158 and 160 seated in grooves or slots168 and 170, and with rack 154 meshed with the toothed segment 167 ofpinion 166, and with at least a portion of color indicating means 172being visible through the sight hole 162. The side edges 132 and 134 ofbutton panel 120 are inserted in channels 146 and 148 at least farenough for rack 130 to mesh with the teeth of pinion 152 and forindicating aperture 140 in the tab 130 of this panel to overlie aperture162 in the backing 122, so as to permit viewing of a portion of colorindicating means 172 therethrough. Then sheet 118 is placed over panel120 with alignment pins 128 received in the sheet holes 126.

In use of the assembled device of FIG. 11, the backing 122 may be sopositioned as to align the center of indicating aperture 140 with thecenterline of either of the color indicating rows 174 or 176. This maybe accomplished by manually engaging segmental pinion 166 and by carefulrotation causing transverse shift of button panel 122. Thereafter,longitudinal shift of the button panel may be effected by manualrotation of segmental pinion 152 to align the indicating aperture 140with a certain one of the color squares in the selected one of theindicator rows 174 and 176, to align the pressure-localizing buttons 136with the sheet zones of the same color. The operator then proceeds todevelop a desired pictorial representation or design in the manner ofuse of the FIGS. 6 to 8 incl. device.

Since the FIG. 11 device permits both longitudinal and transverse shiftof the button panel 120 relative to the fixedly positioned sheet 118 thelongitudinal shift will allow the raised lands or buttons 136 to bemoved to positions where each will simultaneously lap adjacent colorzones in the longitudinal rows thereof and the transverse panel shiftwill allow some lap of a third color zone in the adjacent row. As aresult, the device of FIG. 11 will permit simultaneous rupture ofcapsules of three different colors by each of the buttons when pressureis applied to the sheet 118 above any such button. Selectivity for thispurpose is guided by so shiftingthe button panel 120 that the centralaxis of the indicating aperture is aligned with the juncture of marginsof three different color zones, such as will be attained when theindicating aperture axis is aligned with the juncture of margins ofindicator color squares 178, 180 and 188; or 178, 186 and 188. This isreadily obtained by observing in the circular indicator field that ahalf-section thereof is of one color and the remaining pair of quartersections are of the other two of the three colors.

Practice of the present invention is not limited to instances wherestraight line translation of the button panel is satisfactory. Thoseskilled in the art will understand that devices embodying this inventioncan easily be designed for attainment of the lateral translation of thepressure-localizing, land equipped panel by rotation thereof.

In the embodiments heretofore described the landequipped,pressure-localizing panel has been shown and described as beingrelatively inflexible with the outer ends of the segregated raised landsbeing directed toward the display carrier sheet. Similar results may beobtained with the use of a flexible panel equipped with relativelyinflexible lands, to be employed with a relatively inflexible backinglocated behind the land-bearing printing plate in the printingembodiment or behind either the land-bearing panel or the sheet in theother sequential embodiments. Such a modified form of land-bearing panelconstitutes, in effect, a plurality of patterned and spaced, relativelyinflexible lands connected together by areas of flexible webbing. Such avariant does not require the landbearing surface of the flexible panelor web to face the sheet. With the reverse planar surface of a flexiblepanel or web in contact with the sheet the device is operable sinceapplication of pressure to either the sheet or the flexible panel orweb, with the other relatively rigidly backed, causes the lands tolocalize the pressure while the intervening areas of the flexibleconnecting web will deform or flex away from the opposed face of thesheet sufiiciently to avoid application in these web areas of suchpressure as would otherwise cause rupture of encapsulated color globulesembedded in the opposed areas of the sheet.

Alternatively, a similar variant may employ a flexible panel consistingof two relatively flexible sheets separated by intervening, relativelyrigid lands or connecting button bodies. Also the flexible web mayinterconnect medial zones of such pressure-localizing bodies so thatrelatively rigid buttons extend in transverse alignment from oppositefaces of the web.

The embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings arefairly representative of operative forms of the invention. However, itis believed to be apparent therefrom that many variations thereof arepossible provided each includes the three requisite elements and theirrelative associations. These requisites are: (l) a flexible sheetembodying a predetermined and undiscemible pattern of zones eachcontaining inclusions of encapsulated color-producing materials ofmulticolor character for release of the latter when selectively rupturedto produce a single one of a plurality of colors in each zone thatdiffer in some of the zones; (2) a pressure-localizing member having arelated pattern of pressure applying lands to effect selective ruptureof the inclusions; and (3) means for selectively positioning thispressure-localizing -member relative to the patternof zones forcontrolling the selective release of the different color-producingmaterials.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

I claim:

1. Exhibitor device for permanently recording, by the application ofpressure, informative markings comprising:

a. a sheeted display carrier having on one side an observable displaysurface, said carrier containing a zoned pattern of encapsulatedinclusions of at least two different color producible materials whichare concealed with respect to observation of said surface, saidencapsulated inclusions being selectively rupturable upon theapplication of pressure to said carrier substantially normal to saidsurface for release from the ruptured encapsulated inclusions of thecolor producible materials therein to be observable in said displaysurface;

. panel means bearing a fixed pattern of spaced, pressurelocalizing,relatively inflexible raised lands, said pattern of lands bearing apredetermined relationship to the zoned pattern of inclusions of thedisplay carrier; and

c. at least a portion of one side of said sheeted display carrier beingopposed to at least a portion of said panel means with portions of saidzoned pattern located opposite said lands thereby being adapted to causerupture of certain ones of said encapsulated inclusions within certainones of said zoned pattern portions that are aligned with certain onesof said opposed lands upon normal application of pressure between saidcarrier and said certain ones of said lands in areas of a desired designto produce in said display surface without there being necessity for thetransfer of coloring material from said panel means to said displaycarrier a colored image of the design defined by the areas of appliedpressure.

2. The exhibitor device of claim 1 in which said pattern of l lands isarranged in a predetermined design to guide production of a certaincolored image thereof in the display surface by release of the colorproducible materials within areas of the design.

3. The exhibitor device of claim 1 further comprising means to shiftlaterally one of said display carrier and said panel means relative tothe other and means for indicating the position of said zoned patternrelative to the pattern of lands.

4. The exhibitor device of claim 1 wherein the panel means is a planarelement.

5. The exhibitor device of claim 1 wherein the display carrier is arelatively opaque, flexible sheet effectively concealing saidencapsulated inclusions therein, and said panel means is a relativelystiff member with the patterned lands of said panel means having theirouter ends opposed to said sheet.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the display carrier is furthercharacterized by having:

a. the zoned pattern of encapsulated inclusions comprised of a pluralityof zones each containing at least one inclusion;

b. each of said inclusions in the zoned pattern containing materialwhich, when not associated with material from any other inclusion,produces, upon rupture, only one color;

c. each of said zones in said pattern containing inclusions of only onecolor; and

d. the pattern comprising at least one sequence of color zones, saidsequence being comprised of at least one zone of each color-produciblematerial, which sequence is repeated over at least a portion of saidcarrier.

7. The exhibitor device of claim 6 wherein there are a plurality ofinclusions in each carrier zone and wherein the pattern of zonescomprises:

a. a first group of zones of each of three different colors extending ina certain direction in or parallel to said display surface and arrangedin a certain sequence which is repeated at least once;

b. a second group of zones of each of the three colors adjacent saidfirst group and extending in the same direction,,these second groupzones being arranged in the same sequence as in said first group withthis second group sequence being repeated in the same manner as in saidfirst group;

0. wherein the zones in the first and second groups are of substantiallythe same size in said direction; and

d. wherein the sequences in the second group are offset in saiddirection less than one complete sequence from the sequences of thefirst group.

8. The exhibitor device of claim 7 in which the zoned pattern is furthercharacterized by a plurality of groups of color zones, said groups beingarranged in pairs, each pair consisting of one of said first groups andone of said second groups and wherein said pair is repeated at leastonce in a direction at right angles to the direction of repetition ofsaid sequences, said zones of the three colors in any one of the groupsbeing so offset with respect to those in any adjacent group that no twozones of the same color are located in adjacency to each other.

9. The exhibitor device of claim 7 wherein the panel means carries asingle land for each sequence of color zones alignable with a particularcolor zone thereof and with all of the lands aligned with the samecolorzones of all of the sequences in any particular position of saiddisplay carrier relative to said panel means.

It) The exhibitor device dtTlaiin 1 further comprising a platen of aprinting press wherein:

a. said panel means is a casting suitable for use as a printing plate ona printing press;

b. said sheeted display carrier is a printing web;

0. said sheathed display carrier is positioned between said platen andsaid casting; and

d. said pressure is applied by forces urging said platen and saidcasting together.

11. The exhibitor device of claim 10 wherein the display web is in theform of a sheet of matted fibers and wherein said casting is asubstantially planar printing plate.

12. The exhibitor device of claim 10 wherein the display carrier is arelatively long continuous web and wherein said casting is arcuate inshape for use on a rotary printing press.

13. Exhibitor device for permanently recording, by the application ofpressure, informative markings comprising:

a. a relatively extended planar stiff backing means;

b. a relatively thin display sheet overlying said backing means andhaving hidden there in at least two separate sets of capsules ofcoloring material with those of one set producing a color difierent fromthat produced by those of any other set, one set of said capsules of afirst colorproducing material being arranged in a pattern of spacedfirst color zones and another set of said capsules of a secondcolor-producing material being arranged in a similar pattern of spacedsecond color zones, the zones of said second pattern being offsetlaterally from those of said first pattern, said capsules beingrupturable upon the application of pressure to said sheet for release ofthe color-producing material contained therein;

c. a pressure-localizing planar panel intervening the backing means andthe display sheet, said panel bearing on at least one face thereof afixed pattern of spaced pressure-localizing raised lands with said landsarranged in a particular pattern whereby:

1. when said panel is in a first particular position relative to saiddisplay sheet said lands are aligned with at least some of said zones ofone set so as to cause rupture, upon the application of pressure betweenaligned lands and zones, of at least some of the capsules in this set;and

2. when said panel is in a second particular position relative to saiddisplay sheet said lands are aligned with at least some of said zones ofanother set so as to cause rupture, upon the application of pressurebetween said aligned lands and zones of this other set, of at least someof the capsules in this second set;

d. said backing means, pressure-localizing raised lands panel anddisplay carrier forming a stack of planar elements;

e. means for laterally shifting said panel relative to said displaysheet from said first particular position to said second particularposition; and

f. means for indicating the location of said panel relative to saiddisplay sheet.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the display sheet carries thereincapsules of three different color-producible materials arranged in threesimilar patterns of zones, each pattern embodying zones of capsulescontaining only one color producing material and parts of each patternbeing offset laterally in a given direction from like parts of eachother pattern.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein the pattern of spaced raised lands issimilar to the pattern of zones of capsules of any one particularcolor-producing material.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein:

a. the pattern of spaced raised lands is similar to each of the patternsof single color zones;

b. said panel may be positioned in at least three different lateralpositions relative to said display carrier; and

c. each of said three positions causes said lands to be aligned onlywith the zones of one of the patterns of single color zones.

17. The device of claim 16 in which the display carrier is furthercharacterized by the color zones being arranged in a plurality oftransversely contiguous, longitudinally parallel rows, each rowcomprising successively repeated like ii versely aligned;

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the zones within each sequence arecontiguous and the sequences in each row are also contiguous.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein the panel can be shiftedlongitudinally and transversely relative to said display carrier.

1. Exhibitor device for permanently recording, by the application ofpressure, informative markings comprising: a. a sheeted display carrierhaving on one side an observable display surface, said carriercontaining a zoned pattern of encapsulated inclusions of at least twodifferent color producible materials which are concealed with respect toobservation of said surface, said encapsulated inclusions beingselectively rupturable upon the application of pressure to said carriersubstantially normal to said surface for release from the rupturedencapsulated inclusions of the color producible materials therein to beobservable in said display surface; b. panel means bearing a fixedpattern of spaced, pressurelocalizing, relatively inflexible raisedlands, said pattern of lands bearing a predetermined relationship to thezoned pattern of inclusions of the display carrier; and c. at least aportion of one side of said sheeted display carrier being opposed to atleast a portion of said panel means with portions of said zoned patternlocated opposite said lands thereby being adapted to cause rupture ofcertain ones of said encapsulated inclusions within certain ones of saidzoned pattern portions that are aligned with certain ones of saidopposed lands upon normal application of pressure between said carrierand said certain ones of said lands in areas of a desired design toproduce in said display surface without there being necessity for thetransfer of coloring material from said panel means to said displaycarrier a colored image of the design defined by the areas of appliedpressure.
 2. The exhibitor device of claim 1 in which said pattern oflands is arranged in a predetermined design to guide production of acertain colored image thereof in the display surface by release of thecolor producible materials within areas of the design.
 2. when saidpanel is in a second particular position relative to said display sheetsaid lands are aligned with at least some of said zones of another setso as to cause rupture, upon the application of pressure between saidaligned lands and zones of this other set, of at least some of thecapsules in this second set; d. said backing means, pressure-localizingraised lands panel and display carrier forming a stack of planarelements; e. means for laterally shifting said panel relative to saiddisplay sheet from said first particular position to said secondparticular position; and f. means for indicating the location of saidpanel relative to said display sheet.
 3. The exhibitor device of claim 1further comprising means to shift laterally one of said display carrierand said panel means relative to the other and means for indicating theposition of said zoned pattern relative to the pattern of lands.
 4. Theexhibitor device of claim 1 wherein the panel means is a planar element.5. The exhibitor device of claim 1 wherein the display carrier is arelatively opaque, flexible sheet effectively concealing saidencapsulated inclusions therein, and said panel means is a relativelystiff member with the patterned lands of said panel means having theirouter ends opposed to said sheet.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein thedisplay carrier is further characterized by having: a. the zoned patternof encapsulated inclusions comprised of a plurality of zones eachcontaining at least one inclusion; b. each of said inclusions in thezoned pattern containing material which, when not associated withmaterial from any other inclusion, produces, upon rupture, only onecolor; c. each of said zones in said pattern containing inclusions ofonly one color; and d. the pattern comprising at least one sequence ofcolor zones, said sequence being comprised of at least one zone of eachcolor-producible material, which sequence is repeated over at least aportion of said carrier.
 7. The exhibitor Device of claim 6 whereinthere are a plurality of inclusions in each carrier zone and wherein thepattern of zones comprises: a. a first group of zones of each of threedifferent colors extending in a certain direction in or parallel to saiddisplay surface and arranged in a certain sequence which is repeated atleast once; b. a second group of zones of each of the three colorsadjacent said first group and extending in the same direction, thesesecond group zones being arranged in the same sequence as in said firstgroup with this second group sequence being repeated in the same manneras in said first group; c. wherein the zones in the first and secondgroups are of substantially the same size in said direction; and d.wherein the sequences in the second group are offset in said directionless than one complete sequence from the sequences of the first group.8. The exhibitor device of claim 7 in which the zoned pattern is furthercharacterized by a plurality of groups of color zones, said groups beingarranged in pairs, each pair consisting of one of said first groups andone of said second groups and wherein said pair is repeated at leastonce in a direction at right angles to the direction of repetition ofsaid sequences, said zones of the three colors in any one of the groupsbeing so offset with respect to those in any adjacent group that no twozones of the same color are located in adjacency to each other.
 9. Theexhibitor device of claim 7 wherein the panel means carries a singleland for each sequence of color zones alignable with a particular colorzone thereof and with all of the lands aligned with the same color zonesof all of the sequences in any particular position of said displaycarrier relative to said panel means. 10 The exhibitor device of claim 1further comprising a platen of a printing press wherein: a. said panelmeans is a casting suitable for use as a printing plate on a printingpress; b. said sheeted display carrier is a printing web; c. saidsheathed display carrier is positioned between said platen and saidcasting; and d. said pressure is applied by forces urging said platenand said casting together.
 11. The exhibitor device of claim 10 whereinthe display web is in the form of a sheet of matted fibers and whereinsaid casting is a substantially planar printing plate.
 12. The exhibitordevice of claim 10 wherein the display carrier is a relatively longcontinuous web and wherein said casting is arcuate in shape for use on arotary printing press.
 13. Exhibitor device for permanently recording,by the application of pressure, informative markings comprising: a. arelatively extended planar stiff backing means; b. a relatively thindisplay sheet overlying said backing means and having hidden therein atleast two separate sets of capsules of coloring material with those ofone set producing a color different from that produced by those of anyother set, one set of said capsules of a first color-producing materialbeing arranged in a pattern of spaced first color zones and another setof said capsules of a second color-producing material being arranged ina similar pattern of spaced second color zones, the zones of said secondpattern being offset laterally from those of said first pattern, saidcapsules being rupturable upon the application of pressure to said sheetfor release of the color-producing material contained therein; c. apressure-localizing planar panel intervening the backing means and thedisplay sheet, said panel bearing on at least one face thereof a fixedpattern of spaced pressure-localizing raised lands with said landsarranged in a particular pattern whereby:
 14. The device of claim 13,wherein the display sheet carries therein capsules of three differentcolor-producible materials arranged in three similar patterns of zones,each pattern embodying zones of capsules containing only one colorproducing material and parts of each pattern being offset laterally in agiven direction from like parts of each other pattern.
 15. The device ofclaim 13 wherein the pattern of spaced raised lands is similar to thepattern of zones of capsules of any one particular color-producingmaterial.
 16. The device of claim 14 wherein: a. the pattern of spacedraised lands is similar to each of the patterns of single color zones;b. said panel may be positioned in at least three different lateralpositions relative to said display carrier; and c. each of said threepositions causes said lands to be aligned only with the zones of one ofthe patterns of single color zones.
 17. The device of claim 16 in whichthe display carrier is further characterized by the color zones beingarranged in a plurality of transversely contiguous, longitudinallyparallel rows, each row comprising successively repeated like sequencesof three color zones of the three different colors, the parts of thesequences in each row being offset longitudinally from like parts of thesequences in the contiguous rows and like parts of the sequences inalternating rows being transversely aligned.
 18. The device of claim 17wherein the zones within each sequence are contiguous and the sequencesin each row are also contiguous.
 19. The device of claim 17 wherein thepanel can be shifted longitudinally and transversely relative to saiddisplay carrier.